In our Stealth Bomber series, we talk to players in the farm system who aren’t yet on the New York radar, but hope one day to be so.

Gavin was drafted in the 9th round of the 2009 draft out of UCLA, where he served as the Bruins’ closer and earned Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 Team and Second-Team Pac-10 All-Academic honors during his senior year. Upon signing, he impressed during 30 relief appearances for the Staten Island Yankees, going 5-1 with a 0.62 ERA and 48 Ks in 43.1 IP. Baseball America ranks Gavin among the top left-handed relievers in the Yankees’ system.

Admiral Firmus Piett: What went through your mind on draft day when you found out that you were selected by the Yankees?

Gavin Brooks: It was a very exciting moment for me and my family. I had been working really hard for a long time for that moment, and to hear that I would be playing for the greatest organization in baseball history, I was thrilled.

AFP: What team did you root for growing up?

GB: Growing up in San Diego and going to Padre games it was natural for me to be a Padres fan. I was never a die hard Padres fan though as they always seemed to let all their better players (except Tony Gwynn) slip away in trades.

AFP: Who was your favorite ball player as a kid?

GB: I was always a big fan of Jim Edmonds and the way he played the game. He worked just as hard on defense as he did on offense and left everything out on the field.

AFP: What does your pitch repertoire include?

GB: I throw a 4-seam fastball and have developed a 2-seam as well. I throw 2 breaking balls: a curveball and a slider that is sometimes referred to as a slurve. I am also working on developing my change-up.

AFP: Which one is your out pitch?

GB: It depends on the hitter I’m facing and the situation, but my go-to pitch if I need a strikeout is my slider.

AFP: Have the Yankees adjusted your pitch repertoire at all?

GB: At instructs last year, I worked on developing a 2-seam fastball and a changeup in order to induce more ground ball outs and weak contact. Most of the regular season I only threw a 4-seam fastball, curve, and a slider. Once at instructs, I was only allowed to throw the pitches I was working on, which was a change from how I would have normally pitched hitters, but it forced me work on the pitches I needed to improve. I feel comfortable with my 2-seam now and am still working on my change-up.

AFP: Have they made any adjustments to your mechanics?

GB: They adjusted my hand positioning in my delivery by lowering my hands in order to give my separation better timing. That was the main change I’ve made. There were a few minor changes in grip and follow through, but the major adjustment was with my separation.

AFP: Are there any other areas of your game that your coaches emphasize for you to work on?

GB: Pitching Fielding Practice, or PFP, is always highly stressed. Being a lefty there is always improvement that can be made in my pickoff move as well.

AFP: What do you view as your strengths and weaknesses coming off of your 2009 season?

GB: My main strength was being able to buckle down in clutch situations and get out of a jam. I was very satisfied with the way I pitched when runners were on base, especially in scoring position. One area I need to improve is lowering my number of walks. I allowed too many runners a free pass and need to get ahead in the count more often in order to put hitters away.

AFP: What are your expectations going in to your first spring training as a pro?

GB: I am very excited and looking forward to getting to spring training. I have worked hard this off-season and am itching to get back on the mound and compete. I felt like a gained some experience of what I will encounter by being invited to instructional league, but am looking forward to it.

AFP: What are your goals for the 2010 season?

GB: Goals can always be set in terms of numbers, but my main goals are to continue to work hard and progress throughout the season. By trying to get better everyday in some phase of my game will allow to me to be as successful as possible. I can’t control everything that happens throughout a season in terms of results, but I can control my work ethic and desire to improve, so that’s where my focus is.

AFP: What does your off-season conditioning program include?

GB: Total body workouts 3 days a week that last for 2 1/2 hours and include a mix of strength, agility, and cardio. On the days that I don’t have a work out, I have designated running that varies from sprints to intervals. I try to make sure I get some type of core exercise done everyday as well. In the past two months I have increased my throwing over time and am throwing 6 days a week with bullpens 3 times a week.

AFP: During the season, what does a typical day look like?

GB: Usually I will sleep in until around 10 and get some breakfast. Usually I will leave for the field around noon for a 7 p.m. game. Once I get to the field I will grab some lunch and hang out with the guys in the clubhouse until 1:30. Pitchers stretch and throw starting at 2:00. Once that’s done, I get my designated running in and get ready for team defense or PFP’s. Batting practice starts at 4:00 and last for almost an hour. I’ll head back into the clubhouse and relax until half an hour before the game. The game starts at 7:00 and gets finished around 10:00, then I’ll grab some dinner head back home and rest up to start it all over again. Then there are road trips but that’s a whole other adventure.

Big ups to Gavin for talking with NoMaas. We wish him the best of luck in the upcoming season.